Sunday, 16 December 2007

Well, it is pretty much a year to the day that my large-cell lymphoma troubles started and me and family were told that with chemo treatment the 'average' survival time for me was 6-9 months. This time last year we didn't fink I would see another Christmas tree but I have...and we are all so so grateful for it! (Check out my first ever blog post for the full story of my diagnosis)

The past 365 days have presented us with a whole heap of emotions (and medicines) but it has also been surprisingly 'normal'. Most people have the impression that chemo is a very hard-hitting treatment for a cat to endure but it isn't for the vast majority of us cats - the doses given are very low and therefore we don't suffer like humans do when they have chemo. The downside to this is that the low-dose chemo is not considered a complete cure for cats...obviously we go into clinical remission (otherwise I wouldn't be here right now) but my lymphoma will come back to see me one day. When that happens I am confident that my Ben Vet will do his best by me, as he always has done, he is such a lovely vet and I actually quite enjoy seeing him, I purr at him and head-butt him too!

As I have exceeded the average survival time I guess I am above average...special....extra-ordinary even! I therefore want to celebrate my anniversary by creating an Award - I hope you don't think me bigheaded!

The Extraordinary Gold Star Award was created by me - Storm, The Furry Fighter - and is for Bloggers who have achieved or done something special. The award celebrates beyond what is ordinary or usual.

1) Post the explanation and rules of the award and link back to the blogger who presented you with the award and repeat the reason why you received it.

2) Pass the Award on to two other Bloggers who you fink deserve it and explain why!

Well there is little point in linking back to myself so I will get on with the presentation, which is hard cos I fink you all deserve the award, but if I awarded it to everyone all at once then the fun would all be over too quicky!:

Firstly, Caeser & Princess cos they are the sweetest and most adorable cats and always leave the most adorable, caring messages for everyone. Plus they are Fighters and put up with having flooids every day.

Secondly, Daisy The Curly Cat, cos before I read her blog I had no idea that cats wore clothes and went out strollering!!! She opened my eyes to how wonderful and tolerant some cats can be of their Beans! What a lady (and a very fashionable one at that!).

PS - I just want to say thanks to ALL my blogging buddies though, it has been an honour to meet you all and I love reading about your diverse and wonderful lives! The Cat Blogosphere is such a special place!

Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.Life is beauty, admire it.Life is bliss, taste it.Life is a dream, realize it.Life is a challenge, meet it.Life is a duty, complete it.Life is a game, play it.Life is a promise, fulfill it.Life is sorrow, overcome it.Life is a song, sing it.Life is a struggle, accept it.Life is a tragedy, confront it.Life is an adventure, dare it.Life is luck, make it.Life is too precious, do not destroy it.Life is life, fight for it.

That is an absolutely marvelous thing that you have done Storm. When we say we know how your human feels, we do. Georgia only had 6 months at the outside and that was a year and three months ago. We look forward to reading about your adventures NEXT year too!

Oh my thank you for this awardie.You know, when we learned about you and the fight you have endured this year, we went through all of the emotions as well. You are a precious flower of a kittie. So very sweet and beautiful. WE are thrilled that you have won this battle and are here to share another Christmas with those that love you soooo much!

We are so honored to recieve this award. You are our very special friend, when your mom is busy, we come and visit to see what is going on, to check on you. Thank you Thank you for this very wonderful awardie. (((hughughughug))) from your curliekitty forever friends

Congratulations on a very important anniversary!!! I think you should have given yourself an award too, for beating the odds. We really enjoy reading your blog, and love that you and your brother look like my brother and I.

Hi, Stormie! That is so superfantastick that you have reached yur one year milestone and are doin so furry well. We Ballicai are celebratin right along with you! That's a wunnerful award you created and and is purrfect for you, and you picked preshus kitties to pass it along to.

Oh Storm, yoo are an inspiration to us all. Yoo mite remember dat da one who came before had cancer and mom is very paranoid about one of us getting sick, but you've shown her that survival is possible. Yoo're a brave and speshul kitty and we are furry glad to have met yoo. Merry Krissmouse!

Dearest Stormie! Leavenworth is a tiny village in the alpine area of Washington State about 3 hours fromour desert where we live. Oh, isn't it hard to believe how many different climates Washington has?conCATulations on your milestone this month dear friend. How tender of you to gift others with such a nice award...you have chosen purrrrfectly too! We all love C & P and miss D!Whats more... we LOVE you and look up to you for being so brave!Hugs Miss Peach who loves the views from your windows!

Storm,The Furry Fighter.That is such a good name because you proved that you were not going to listen to what the Vets said.You laughed at their 6-9 months and said "just you wait and see"!I love a cat with ATTITUDE!!!!Here's to many more Christmases!!!! Great choices too,for your award :)Purrs Mickey

Storm we are so very glad you bet the odds and that we got to know you! You are brave and so very nice. Your award is cool! We haven't been commenting much cause Mom is so way behind on everything this year. She's usually all decorated up by Thanksgiving and she is still trying to finish. So sometimes we just peek and run. Your FL furiends,

Many congratulations on reaching the one year mark, Storm. You are a great furry fighter and an inspiration to us all. It is wonderful of you to create this award and you have chosen great kitties to give it to. Here's to more Christmas trees in your future. I hope to be reading your adventures for a looong time to come.

Storm, The Furry Fighter!

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ABOUT ME

My name is Storm, I was a 12 year and 4.5 month old, female seal-point, siamese cat who was diagnosed with lymphoma is December 2006. I immediately started the Madison Wisconsin chemo protocol and was in remission by March 2007. After a year of remission my lymphoma came back in April 2008, my vet had found 3 tumours in my tummy and intestine area...so I restarted my chemo treatment, this time it was the CHOP protocol. Sadly, despite making these three tumours go away, my body had had enough and I became tired. On June 13th 2008 I was helped to the Rainbow Bridge.

I am greatly missed by my brother Castle, Meowmie L and Meowmie J. We will be reunited again oneday, somehow, somewhere...